Sio leapt to her feet in time to see from the outside of her tent one of her pack get thrown across the camp onto the ground. The others were stirring from their sleep all too slowly. Sio grabbed her laz-knife and switched it to shield and ran forward toward the yelling. She reached them in time to see one of the four watchmen duck and dodge the sphinx's large paw. Of the four, Wattz was the one downed. Sio didn't have time to tend to him, and called over her shoulder for Lee. He heard her and quickly moved Wattz toward the rest of the pack that had started to form a protective phalanx. Sio had to lead the sphinx away, or spook it somehow.
The three watchmen were doing a fine job of bobbing and weaving out of the sphinx's clutches; that was thanks to years of preparation under their respective mentors, but it was certain they couldn't keep it up forever. Sio made her move, grabbing Wattz's laz-knife and rippling it against the laz-shield she had. When done, it made a long scratching noise resembling a taut metal string being scraped. It was loud, and it garnered attention. The sphinx turned.
Sio charged forward, crying out in a loud voice to challenge the sphinx. The sphinx, in turn, roared and swiped at Sio, who barely dodged the blow. Then it stood on its hind legs, towering over Sio. It was getting annoyed at its lack of contact. The sphinx crouched low, coiling up, then it leapt at Sio. It was too fast, Sio raised her laz-shield just in time to absorb the blow, but Sio hit the ground hard, wind knocked out of her and her laz-knife slid out of her hand.
The sphinx made to maw Sio's neck, but was stopped by the barrier between them. Sio saw the phalanx move closer from the corner of her eye, and the watchmen surrounded the rear of the sphinx. She hoped whatever they were planning worked or else she would be cat food.
Then she heard one of them let out a guttural cry and saw a laz-knife fly through the air and sink itself into the sphinx's side. For an animal of this size, it surely was more like a pest bite than a severe wound, but it distracted the sphinx long enough to let Sio roll out of harm's way. Sio once more reached for the discarded laz-knife and jumped on the back of the sphinx while it was distracted. It bucked and kicked, but Sio held on. Others joined her on the back of the sphinx and it wasn't long till ten of her pack were attempting to pin down the feline. Sio plunged her laz-knife into the right eye of the sphinx causing it to howl in pain. With her free hand she took out the thermal pack she had tied to a flare and ignited it then threw it into the mouth of the beast.
"Raise shields!" Sio screamed, and the pack obeyed, knowing that their Dunemaster had the right idea. They all backed away, those on the beast let it go, and the beast ran away, coughing out the makeshift explosive Sio had made. Sio let herself be tossed off and raised her shield midair then–BOOM! The explosion shook the Dunestriders to their knees, but they held fast to their shield-wall. The sphinx was still standing, but its head was gruesomely gnarled. Rather than put up a fight, it fled toward the direction of its hunting partner and soon disappeared over the horizon. Sio was flung a little bit away, hitting her back on hard ice.
Odessa was the first to reach her and help her to her feet. Sio's back hurt fiercely, but she managed to walk over to where Wattz was being kept, hoping the worst did not happen. That was when she saw the blood. Sio saw Lee actively attempting to stop it, but not succeeding. Sio was not going to lose another one of her own. She quickly took the laz-knife, brandishing its heated tip, and cauterized the wound in Wattz's side. He howled in pain, but after a few moments, the bleeding stopped. Wattz lost consciousness then.
The pack was silent. Lee checked Wattz's pulse and told them it was fast, but present. They were safe, for now. But they couldn't rest on their laurels; there were two sphinxes out and about. Sio called to the others to pack up in double time. They weren't going to stay where there was obvious danger.
Sio called for Yan to gather the fish they had caught overnight into the food storage, and then asked Odessa to help him. Another boy from the pack, Able, helped Sio to a cot near where Lee was aiding his fellow Dunestriders injured by the attack and blast.
"A hell of a thing you did, Dunemaster!" He scolded, but rather than be angry, Lee just looked tired. There were three others in the makeshift medical tent.
"But one hell of a brave thing, too." Said Rinona, the youngest of the pack. She was no more than fifteen, if Sio recalled. The other two were Cade, a boy of sixteen, and Ahnah, a girl of nineteen. Sio began to feel the weight of her decision. She shouldn't have ignited the blast so close, but what other choice did she have? She racked her brain. None came to mind. The alternatives all resulted in many being mauled by that thing.
It took half-an-hour to pack up the camp despite being a little less than half in recovery and one out cold, but these apprentice Dunestriders were ready and focused on the task at hand. Wattz was placed in a sled, bundled up against the cold. The others in recovery would slow the return home, but progress was progress. Sio especially felt the soreness in her back, but with the painkillers Lee had fashioned out of local flora a few days back, she was doing alright. If she calculated the time right, they would reach Ísandur in a few more days.
—
Sio didn't know from one day to the next. Her head was dizzy from pain and herbs. The hours melted into one another. Wattz had regained consciousness on the second day in, much to the relief of the pack. He wasn't going to walk anytime soon by Sio's orders. But if Wattz was good for something, it was his comedy. He kept his caretakers entertained, much to the ire of most of the group. Then they saw it.
Home.
At first it was twinkling lights in the distance, but then those twinkling lights grew into buildings. Then, on the horizon, they saw what made that village worthwhile. There on the horizon, they saw a few villagers still on night watch, creating a fuss. One by one, the villagers gathered until the pack was able to see a massive crowd gathering for them. They could hear whistling and cheering as they neared.
Then, before they knew it, they were in the streets of their hometown. Sio felt the weight on her shoulders lighten for the first time in months.
They were home.
The pack did not separate once they saw their family members, much to Sio's surprise, but Sio could understand their determination. They came so far; they had to see this through until the end. Just a length away was the town centre, and there they would be able to truly conclude the Stride. So they walked, once more, toward the centre of town where they saw Tomak waiting. They gathered around the sundial, which was now shining in the starlight. Twilight had long passed them, and it was into the evening. There amongst the stars was a borealis, as if The Symphony itself welcomed them home. Tomak raised his hands and then lowered them. Silence fell over the crowd.
"We welcome you. This night has marked the most significant milestone in your lives, the day you have become truly Dunestriders. We welcome you back, not as children, but as adults ready to face any challenge that may come your way. This day, we honor you as kindred spirits in the endeavor to praise The Symphony in its fullest. Welcome, Dunestriders, welcome home."
Tomak concluded his speech. The newly titled Dunestriders celebrated each in their own way. Some were silent, taking it all in, while others cheered with the crowd. Sio just wanted to sit down if she were being honest, but she did not rest until her injured fellows were taken care of. She searched the crowd for Laura and Dr. Tausidi and found them already tending to those who were injured. She needn't worry, it seemed. Sio looked once more, then turned and found Auburn waiting silently nearby. Sio then noticed a young boy of ten standing next to Auburn waving excitedly at her. Sio unmasked and walked to them, a smile gracing her lips. Her little brother, as she called him, even though they were not related by blood.
"Eli, Auburn!" She called as she waved. She was met with a tight embrace from the little boy and a slap on the back from Auburn, to which she winced.
"Welcome back!" The little boy said as he leapt into Sio's arms. Auburn inclined his head as a bow and smiled, a quiet greeting, but she knew what he meant.
It was good to be home.
Tomak had announced they would hold festivities near the end of the week to give time for the newly appointed Dunestriders to rest and recuperate, much to the relief of Sio. She didn't think she had it in her to participate in any kind of party. Auburn and Eli walked with Sio to the clinic, where the others were getting medical treatment. Dr. Tausidi and Laura had met them there.
"Sio!" Laura exclaimed as she embraced her younger friend. Sio winced, not at all from the affection, but rather the ache in her back. Laura immediately let go and switched to her clinical self as she sat Sio down on a free examination bed.
"Took a beating from a sphinx a couple of days before we returned," Sio admitted.
"So I've been told. Sio, how could you be so reckless as to take on a Catlani Sphinx?" chidded Laura.
"It wasn't intentional, a stupid mistake, I forgot they hunted in pairs." She said defeatedly.
Laura sighed heavily and rubbed at her temples. "You're alive, that's what matters. I won't scold you for that." She rested a hand on Sio's shoulder careful not to apply too much pressure. She told the two, Eli and Auburn to wait for Sio outside, they complied. Laura got to work examining Sio's back. Sio winced when she touched a portion of her ribs on the back side.
"Cracked ribs, Sio. You're lucky that seems to be all." Laura said. Just then Dr. Tausidi entered the room. Her tall figure imposing as always, but to Sio she was her mentor.
"This one's taken recklessness from Auburn as well as foolishness." She grunted as Laura handed her a holo-chart with Laura's findings. "But I can't fault you for your brazeness." Dr. Tausidi said as she rested a hand on Sio's shoulder. "But do not make a habit of this."
"I sincerely hope I won't." Sio said laughing a bit, but wincing once more.
Dr. Tausidi snickered and took Sio's arm putting two capsules into her palm and a water on the side table. Sio took the capsules and felt immediate relief from the throbbing pain in her back. It was good to have some miracles of medicine readily available again.
"From what I've heard, Sio. You've done an excellent job as Dunemaster." said Dr. Tausidi as she did a full work up of Sio's physical health. Blue light flickered around Sio as Dr. Tausidi scanned and documented her most recent health report. "The others spoke highly of you."
"I did what I could, Dr. Tausidi. Like you and Auburn taught me." Sio replied. A moment of regret passed over her face."But I couldn't save everyone."
"Ikima." Dr. Tausidi said quietly. "There will be time to mourn properly, Sio."
"I have yet to meet with her family. I don't know what to say." Sio looked away from Laura and Dr. Tausidi to a far window, catching a view of falling snow.
"The truth, Sio. That's all they want." Said Laura. "We were all huddled around the radio when your first report came in, but they want to hear it from you. In person."
"I will meet them as soon as I'm done here."
"You will take to bed rest, you're still suffering clear signs of exhaustion." Laura patted Sio's shoulder gently.
"But–"Sio began to protest, but one look from both Laura and Dr. Tausidi had her silenced. She felt very much like a child again. She supposed that even though she was to accept adulthood, some things would not change.
"We will notify them that you are willing to see them here. Does that suffice?" Dr. Tausidi compromised. Sio nodded. It was only right that she addressed them as soon as possible. She couldn't give them their daughter, she knew that. She could give them what happened.
It would have to be enough.